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Central Labor Council Loses Two Unions

The New York City Central Labor Council, the umbrella organization representing more then a million workers, lost two powerful unions this week because of a controversy over its president.

A spokesman for 32BJ, which represents 70,000 building service workers, said Thursday the union had withdrawn from the labor council. The Hotel Trades Council quit the umbrella group earlier this week.

Both unions asked for the labor council's president, Jack Ahern, to step down because of allegations that his stipend had doubled — and also because of purported misconduct in his role as leader of an engineers local. But he didn't resign.

Ahern issued a written statement acknowledging the departures.

"I have regretfully accepted both resignations with an appreciation that leadership in times of crisis requires tough decisions and even a tougher skin," the statement reads. "Across the country and here in New York unions are being demonized and libeled. I intend to continue my job of answering those attacks with integrity, candor and the facts."

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